Another "What Direction Should I Go" Thread

agray93

Hello, and greetings. This is my first post, and I apologize because I'm sure you all get them often.

Im 19 years old, and looking to start some sort of career in IT. I have about 2 semesters of college under my belt, I was pursuing a business degree. I recently decided that since Im always on the computer and have always been pretty comfortable with a computer since I was a kid, I'd be much better suited trying to get an IT job. I wasn't enjoying business much and finding it hard to study and do quality work, though I've still maintained a 3.25 GPA.

Anyway, I think I want to do something programming related. Possibly web development and app building or something. Ive messed around in photoshop as a younger kid, and I got pretty decent with it for a period of time, but I dont think I have much interest in the design process. Id like to be the one coding and actually bringing it to life with UI. Although I probably will dabble in designing, my question is do I have to be a good DESIGNER as well, or are there plenty of jobs out there for just code men. Sorry, I dont know the terminology lol.

The thing is, some classes Im required to take for my degree program are going to provide with the info i need for my A+ cert. From what Ive read so far A+ and Network+ and all the comptia certs are for troubleshooting, help desk type options. Im not saying I'm opposed to that, just that maybe thats not what I wanna do forever or become great at...

This is getting long so let me try and wrap it up. I guess what Im saying is that I need some help trying to narrow down a path. I think if I decide exactly what im trying to be, it'll be easier to get there rather than saying oh yeah something in CPU....

Heres what Classes my degree program is made up of, so you guys can get an idea of what type of jobs I'll be looking at when Im done. Some classes Ive already finished but since I was in a business degree before I took some useless classes. I have a ways to go I just wanna know what type of jobs I could qualify for after this is done. What would you all do in my situation? Thank you so much for the time to read this! If i left anything out please ask.

Summer Session II

SDV 100 Fundamentals of College Study 1

Fall Semester
CMP 104 Introduction to Programming 2
CMP 107 Windows Operations 3
CMP 115 Fundamentals of Computer Architecture 3
ENG 101 Fundamentals of English I 3
MTH 154 College Algebra and Trigonometry 4
SPH 101 Fundamentals of Oral Communication 3

Spring Semester
CMP 117 Visual Programming 3
CMP 120 Operating Systems 3
CMP 150 Introduction to Networking 3
ENG 151 Fundamentals of English II 3
GEN ED Biological/Physical Science Requirement 4


Fall Semester
CMP 210 Programming Structures and Applications 4
CMP 214 Programming Applications for the Internet 3
CMP 220 Internet Design and Applications 3
CMP 225 Data Communications and Networking I 3
CMP 255 Database Design and Management 3
SDV 101 Career Development 1


Spring Semester
CMP 222 Advanced Internet Design 3
CMP 226 Data Communications and Networking II 3
CMP 240 Help Desk and User Support 3
CMP 245 Computer Security 3
CMP 260 Computer Technology Field Experience 2
GEN ED Social/Behavioral Science Requirement 3

kgb

If I was 19 and wanted to be a programmer, I'd get a Computer Science degree.

agray93

kgb wrote: »

If I was 19 and wanted to be a programmer, I'd get a Computer Science degree.

I dont suppose its too late to switch my major again, I still have a few weeks before the spring semester, and my college does offer a computer science transfer degree... But with someone who has more of an interest in web development and maybe some application building type stuff do you really think thats the right path in comparison to that degree?

To be totally honest with you, I don't really like school so I was trying to avoid that 4 year degree. It's not that I'm not smart or feel like I can't do it....I just dk...why do you say that compared to the program I have chosen?

I think I'd honestly be happy with any job in the computer world. What I really like to do is "make beats" and mix and master audio and stuff. I like rap music and make rap beats. But since thats not the most reliable thing to try and pursue and make money with I wanna do this too. My main thing is that I wanna make a lot of money so I can buy nice toys and go see places and do stuff that I think is fun. To get big bucks in your career you gotta be good @ what you do and music and computers are some of the only things I can see my self staying sane trying to get great at. And the two kind of mix together since music production/engineering is pretty much all digital and in the box now days

agray93

kgb wrote: »

If I was 19 and wanted to be a programmer, I'd get a Computer Science degree.

Why do you say that compared to the degree program I chose? My school does have a Computer Science transfer degree but I was trying to avoid that because I dont think I wanna go back to school right away for the 4 year degree if at all, if possible lol. I HATE school....Ive never enjoyed school but maybe since I like this stuff I will... thats why I wanna try it. I already started learning the basics of HTML and CSS and thats cool....id love to keep going.

I think Id be happy with any computer related job. What I really wanna do is be a hiphop/rap music producer but Im not dumb enough to solely pursue that by itself. I was thinking this AAs degree would give me good knowledge and some certs, and I could get a decent job while I pursue my dreams of being a producer/music engineer. Also maybe do some freelance coding.... Im kinda lost and dont have a lot of people in my life to guide me. So sorry to be posting these long ass life questions on you guy's forum that i just showed up on lol I hope you dont mind!

paul78

Hello and welcome to TE.

My initial reaction when I saw the courses was that it lacked a few fundamental courses. To be a programmer, there are usually 3 classes that are commonly helpful; Algorithms, Data Structures, and Compiler theory or Programming Languages.

DoubleNNs

You want to get into web development? Depending on how far you are w/ HTML and CSS I'd suggest Head First HTML and CSS: Elisabeth Robson, Eric Freeman: 9780596159900: Amazon.com: Books to teach you the basics and get you to an intermediate level.

Then probably start w/ learning PHP and MySQL. A good book is: Amazon.com: PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy (9781430232490): David Powers: Books

You could probably get them for Xmas and depending on how long your break is (my college breaks were FULL months) you could probably get thru them both, especially if you have previous experience.

I think you should first figure out what it is you like, and whether or not you even like IT in general, before pursuing certs. Once you figure out what you like, it'd be easier to make a decision on where to go. For now learn the basics of diff technologies that interest you and focus on excelling in your degree.

I am curious to see how people w/ more experience than me advise you tho.

agray93

DoubleNNs wrote: »

You want to get into web development? Depending on how far you are w/ HTML and CSS I'd suggest Head First HTML and CSS: Elisabeth Robson, Eric Freeman: 9780596159900: Amazon.com: Books to teach you the basics and get you to an intermediate level.

Then probably start w/ learning PHP and MySQL. A good book is: Amazon.com: PHP Solutions: Dynamic Web Design Made Easy (9781430232490): David Powers: Books

You could probably get them for Xmas and depending on how long your break is (my college breaks were FULL months) you could probably get thru them both, especially if you have previous experience.

I think you should first figure out what it is you like, and whether or not you even like IT in general, before pursuing certs. Once you figure out what you like, it'd be easier to make a decision on where to go. For now learn the basics of diff technologies that interest you and focus on excelling in your degree.

I am curious to see how people w/ more experience than me advise you tho.

Ok I guess it's safe for me to go ahead and say I LOVE IT. I love computers, phones, game systems....anything technology I think is cool. Thats why I was saying that anything would probably keep my happy in this field, but Im thinking i need to find something to try to be my BEST at....


Thanks for the rec's on the books, I was gonna ask that next. I think what Im gonna do is pursue web development, and internet stuff like SEO and also programming apps for the internet and such. But im also gonna get some basic certs like A+ and maybe security or network + because I dont think it will be too hard for me to grab those. And I dont see how I could hurt me having those certs even if I didnt plan on being a network specialist or computer helpdesk person or whatever.

What are you guys opinions on that? It sucks man...im so young and I just feel like Im not doing enough and wanna get into a career and everything so fast... I just wanna get a good job so I can help my family out, times are tough. At least Im blessed to really enjoy computers and stuff and this seems like a great field to pursue from everything Ive been reading.

agray93

Cool, thanks for the book rec's I was gonna ask that next. My break is only a few weeks though but Im still gonna ask for the books for xmas.

And just to clear it up, I LOVVVVEE IT. Anything technology related Ive always enjoyed. So as far as pursuing a career this is definitely where my best bets are at. Other than music this is one of the only things I could see my self saying you know what, I really do enjoy my job.

What are you guys opinions on just trying to become the best web developer I can, still doing this AAs College program, and still grabbing a few certs like A+ and maybe Network+?

The reason Im considering certs even though I wanna be more web/programming/internet oriented is because I think the A+ should be CAKE for me to grab and the other few really shouldnt be too hard for me. Im not saying I already know the stuff but ive worked on a network in my house with my dad and been around computers my whole life and have been a better than average user. I was never super super advanced but it was rare to find a kid better with a computer than me in school.

the_Grinch

Be easier if I could see the course descriptions, but from the titles I think you are setting yourself up properly to be a web developer. Of course you need to translate things learned in the course, to your resume as employers won't know what you got from the classes based off of those titles. Also, start a portfolio with various websites you have designed (be they school projects, paid work, or just stuff you did for free for experience). You'll want to have a solid grasp of HTML(5), Javascript, CSS, and some server side language (be it ASP or PHP). You'll also want to decide whether you want to be back end or front end. Based off of titles, I'd say you're more geared towards the back end of the house. If you want to be more front end, then you'll need to take more design/graphic arts courses. Good luck, web is a good place to start. I started with a web developer and they brought him in at $55k, plus profit share, and he was fresh out of school.

kgb

agray93 wrote: »

Why do you say that compared to the degree program I chose? ...

Because having a Computer Science degree is a lot more helpful than an IT degree if what you want to do is programming. I say this as someone that is a programmer, that has an IT degree. I'm a career switcher at the age of 37 at the time though, so going to school for 3-6years wasn't in my cards, but being 19, you are just starting. My opinion, but taking shortcuts in the very beginning won't serve you the best for later on.

If you want to be a website designer (html/css focus) then continue on your path. If you want to do software engineering, get a computer science degree.

DoubleNNs

He said that he doesn't like the design aspect, but more so the programming side of web dev. So I think he'd enjoy back end more than front end. Front end is great because you're allowed to be creative. But for someone who creativity doesn't come easy, that part can be a real chore.

I also agree w/ kgb tho. If you want to program, a comp sci degree will help you more. Not saying you can't program w/ an IT degree, but you'll be a much better programmer fresh out of school after Comp Sci, and employers will value it more. And that's coming from someone who switched from Comp Sci to IT.

But if you're set on the IT degree, do it. Just realize the pros and cons of each path you may take.